The text outlines the stages in the juvenile court process and describes the attorney's basic role and duties at each stage. It also refers to the crucial State and Federal laws of which an attorney must be aware. Individual sections explain the pretrial independent investigation, the emergency removal hearing, adjudication, disposition, foster care review, termination of parental rights, and appeals. Child abuse and neglect reporting laws, juvenile court acts, laws regarding the termination of parental rights, child welfare agency laws, and other laws are summarized. Attorneys are advised to keep in mind throughout the proceedings that the clients are the parents and that the parents should be making the significant decisions about the overall posture of the case. Annotated list of 21 references.